Incomplete import from OE in XP. Not all folders imported, and no messages imported.

I have OE installed in WindowsXP. Installed Tbird. Tried import tool to import everything from OE. Only a few of the folders showed up, and no messages were imported. Tried uninstall and re-install of TBird...no help. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Len

I have OE installed in WindowsXP. Installed Tbird. Tried import tool to import everything from OE. Only a few of the folders showed up, and no messages were imported. Tried uninstall and re-install of TBird...no help. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Len

OE must be set as the default email client.
Tools > Import
selectc'Mail' and click on Next
choose 'Outlook Express' and click on Next.
More info here:
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_from_Outlook_Express
Look under 'Advanced alternatives' section for alternate methods.
PS: Adding a message saying bump, does not bump. :)

Question owner

Went through it again. uninstalled Tbird. Reinstalled, made sure Tbird was NOT the default mailhandler. Same result. Only 8 of 11 folders imported, and NONE of my messages importedt.To clarify, I am doing this in XP, with plan to backup with Mozbackup, then install Tbird in W7, and restore backup into TBird installed in W7.

Went through it again. uninstalled Tbird. Reinstalled, made sure Tbird was NOT the default mailhandler. Same result. Only 8 of 11 folders imported, and NONE of my messages importedt.To clarify, I am doing this in XP, with plan to backup with Mozbackup, then install Tbird in W7, and restore backup into TBird installed in W7.

Helpful Reply

In OE, are the mail accounts IMAP or Pop?

If IMAP, then make sure you synchronised the folders to get a copy onto your computer. Then export the emails as .eml files.

In OE, Export the messages as .EML files and then use the ImportExportTools extension to import them. One way to export them is to drag and drop the emails from Outlook Express to a folder in Windows Explorer. The trial version of Outlook Express Repair also lets you export folders as .EML files.

In OE, are the mail accounts IMAP or Pop?
If IMAP, then make sure you synchronised the folders to get a copy onto your computer. Then export the emails as .eml files.
In OE, Export the messages as .EML files and then use the ImportExportTools extension to import them. One way to export them is to drag and drop the emails from Outlook Express to a folder in Windows Explorer. The trial version of Outlook Express Repair also lets you export folders as .EML files.
importExport tool:
* https://freeshell.de//~kaosmos/mboximport-en.html

In OE, Export the messages as .EML files and then use the ImportExportTools extension to import them into thunderbird. One way to export them is to drag and drop the emails from Outlook Express to a folder in Windows Explorer.

did you export the emails from OE as .eml files?
What happened when you used the ImportExporttool ?
see image on how to use.

In OE, Export the messages as .EML files and then use the ImportExportTools extension to import them into thunderbird. One way to export them is to drag and drop the emails from Outlook Express to a folder in Windows Explorer.
importExport tool:
* https://freeshell.de//~kaosmos/mboximport-en.html
download to desktop
then add it to your Thunderbird.
Info on How to add.
* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-ons-and-extensions-faq#w_how-do-i-install-an-add-on
did you export the emails from OE as .eml files?
What happened when you used the ImportExporttool ?
see image on how to use.

Then in Thunderbird:
'Tools' > 'Addons' to open the Add-ons Manager in a new tab
click on the gear wheel cog icon and select 'Install Addon from file'
see image below
a new window opens
locate and select the ImportExportTool 3.0.1 .xpi file which you downloaded and click on Open
It will auto install as an addon extension in Thunderbird.

You do not need to open it.
You download it to your desktop or chosen download folder.
I notice that there has been a slight change in the instructions on downloading, so get from here :
* https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/
Then in Thunderbird:
'Tools' > 'Addons' to open the Add-ons Manager in a new tab
click on the gear wheel cog icon and select 'Install Addon from file'
see image below
a new window opens
locate and select the ImportExportTool 3.0.1 .xpi file which you downloaded and click on Open
It will auto install as an addon extension in Thunderbird.

Question owner

Tried 24.6. Everything imported. I didn't see 'win32' to click on. Messages can be sent and received. Right now, it seems I cannot delete messages. I highlight a message, and click the X delete button...not the x stop button. no go. I highlight again, and press the delete key. no go. I highlight, right click and select delete message, nothing happens. i'm obviously missing something.

Grateful for your kind help.

Tried 24.6. Everything imported. I didn't see 'win32' to click on. Messages can be sent and received. Right now, it seems I cannot delete messages. I highlight a message, and click the X delete button...not the x stop button. no go. I highlight again, and press the delete key. no go. I highlight, right click and select delete message, nothing happens. i'm obviously missing something.
Grateful for your kind help.

Question owner

My delete button is definitely a red, large X. There is also small, white X inside a red octagon, marked "Stop"', which I did not add to the Toolbar. Maybe this is peculiar to version 24.6.
Possibly irellevant, as I note today the the delete function is now wotking. Pehaps a reboot was all that was needed. I'll get back to youif this reoccurs.

My delete button is definitely a red, large X. There is also small, white X inside a red octagon, marked "Stop"', which I did not add to the Toolbar. Maybe this is peculiar to version 24.6.
Possibly irellevant, as I note today the the delete function is now wotking. Pehaps a reboot was all that was needed. I'll get back to youif this reoccurs.

Question owner

Another issue. Sorry, I'm a nubee. My inbox shows 2 main folders. the first one is my email address, and the second one is "Local Folders", which appears to be a duplicate of the first. Do I need them both? Sorry, but I'm only proficient in Outlook Express. i'm trasitioning to W7. I plan to use Mozbackup to transfer all my WXP mail, which is now Tbird, to W7.

Another issue. Sorry, I'm a nubee. My inbox shows 2 main folders. the first one is my email address, and the second one is "Local Folders", which appears to be a duplicate of the first. Do I need them both? Sorry, but I'm only proficient in Outlook Express. i'm trasitioning to W7. I plan to use Mozbackup to transfer all my WXP mail, which is now Tbird, to W7.

I wonder, Thunderbird builds a global index of all mail. On import that is a lot of mail in a short time. You mentioned XP and my old XP box with a 3Gz processor struggled with the initial indexing. I had to rebuild the index several times and overnight was not unusual. Perhaps a combination of these sorts of things meant updates like delete simply did not work. It was just to busy.

Your import from OE should (an I emphasize that as I have not done it for years) have placed all the imported mail in a folder outlook express import under local folders. The only exception to that is if your account was IMAP. You do not mention is it is or not.

If it is IMAP you have your account on the server synchronised and local folder is somewhere to store stuff locally on your machine without having it on the server (very important to those with limited server storage).

If you account is POP, there is little or no point in using the separated account folder (although they appear to be some sort of default these days) and a global inbox for all pop account is my preferred arrangement.

Will open a dialog that allows you to specify the use of the global inbox for "this account". The option is simply not there for IMAP accounts.

Setting the account to use the global inbox will see the account and it's folders disappear on the next restart in place of the "Local folders" which is the global inbox.

Note if doing this, that the folders disappear, so you need to copy or move mail to the Local folders equivalent before you restart and they are gone. (although reversing the process will make them reappear)

I wonder, Thunderbird builds a global index of all mail. On import that is a lot of mail in a short time. You mentioned XP and my old XP box with a 3Gz processor struggled with the initial indexing. I had to rebuild the index several times and overnight was not unusual. Perhaps a combination of these sorts of things meant updates like delete simply did not work. It was just to busy.
Your import from OE should (an I emphasize that as I have not done it for years) have placed all the imported mail in a folder outlook express import under local folders. The only exception to that is if your account was IMAP. You do not mention is it is or not.
If it is IMAP you have your account on the server synchronised and local folder is somewhere to store stuff locally on your machine without having it on the server (very important to those with limited server storage).
If you account is POP, there is little or no point in using the separated account folder (although they appear to be some sort of default these days) and a global inbox for all pop account is my preferred arrangement.
Tools menu (alt+T) > account settings > server settings > advanced button.
Will open a dialog that allows you to specify the use of the global inbox for "this account". The option is simply not there for IMAP accounts.
Setting the account to use the global inbox will see the account and it's folders disappear on the next restart in place of the "Local folders" which is the global inbox.
Note if doing this, that the folders disappear, so you need to copy or move mail to the Local folders equivalent before you restart and they are gone. (although reversing the process will make them reappear)